New President For Wanganui Province

20 April, 2004

New President For Wanganui Province

The Wanganui province of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (FFNZ) has a new president and executive.

Steve Anstis was elected to the position at the recent annual meeting of the Wanganui province.

Timothy Matthews is vice president, Brian Doughty is the dairy representative, Matthew Norris is the meat and fibre representative, and treasurer is Sara Wickham.

Mr Anstis runs a 6,000 stock unit sheep and beef farm at Parapara, north of Wanganui. Until a year ago he was vice chairman of the NZ Meat and Fibre Producers' Council, an FFNZ industry group.

Late last year the Wanganui executive resigned en masse because of the mounting workload.

"We've had a few challenges within the province in the past year but I am optimistic that they can be overcome in the future," Mr Anstis said.

"Wanganui is a small province in terms of membership and there are fewer people to stand up and have a say. I want to get as many as possible in the wider membership involved.

"I am going to build our systems so that we can consult with our membership easily and quickly and get their feedback. That will enable the members of Wanganui to contribute to some good and robust policy."

Wanganui province has about 300 members, compared with Federated Farmers' total membership of more than 18,000.

FFNZ President Tom Lambie said Mr Anstis is an experienced leader who understands the importance of a strong regional representation in the federation.

"A former member of the executive of FFNZ's meat and fibre wing, Steve recognises that the national organisation depends on a strong provincial structure.

"Steve has the skills to help return the Wanganui area to its former position as a fully-operating province, one of 23 provincial organisations that make up the Federation," Mr Lambie said.

ENDS

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